Brockmann, UweTopcu, Dilek H.Leujak, WeraSchütt, M.2024-06-162024-06-162018https://doi.org/10.60810/openumwelt-1941https://openumwelt.de/handle/123456789/5512The eutrophication status of the German Bight (North Sea) has been assessed the third time since 1998 according to the OSPAR-Comprehensive Procedure between 2006 and 2014. Since the 1980s nutrient discharges and atmospheric nitrogen deposition had declined significantly but chlorophyll a and nutrient concentrations remained above assessment levels inshore and in inner coastal waters, reflecting continuing eutrophication. Recently local river discharges stagnated or increased again and total nitrogen remained above a reduction target of 200 myM. Most nutrients and conversion products were imported by a coastal current, passing the German Bight. Organic matter was trapped in offshore bottom waters in the ancient Elbe valley, causing repeated annual oxygen minima (<6 mg/L) and a classification as Problem Area. Effects of national reduction measures are limited in the transit area German Bight because improvements in open coastal waters require international efforts, based on comprehensive analyses. © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.online resourceenghttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/EutrophierungSauerstoffbedarfDeutsche BuchtWissenschaftlicher Artikel